Developing Top Tier S.T.E.M. Talent

STEM Programs Designed for Your Community

The Pearl Project Institute for Innovation in STEM Literacy is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization designed to create a direct pipeline of STEM literate youth ready for the global workforce, especially girls. We organize and support STEM Learning for educators, parents, community STEM advocates and students of all ages and skill levels.

Committed to building a pipeline of top tier STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) talent ready for the global workforce, The Pearl Project Institute for Innovation in STEM Literacy provides products and summer STEM education programs designed to empower educators and community leaders with the “know how” to deliver critical thinking and problem solving modules.

Developing Exceptional Minds for the Future

S.T.E.M. Literacy Drives Innovation & Ideas

STEM jobs are projected to grow at a fast pace relative to other occupations. STEM workers help drive our innovation and competitiveness by generating new ideas and new companies. As a result, workers need the critical thinking and technical skills that come with STEM training. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce/ Office of the Chief Economist in the 2017 STEM Jobs Update, “STEM workforce has an outsized impact on a nation’s competitiveness, economic growth, and overall standard of living. STEM workers drive innovation (as measured by patents), and they have the flexible skills needed for the modern economy. At a time when firms across the economy cite difficulty matching skilled workers to job openings, the ability of STEM workers to adapt to new circumstances and processes makes them highly sought after.” In order to help keep up with the demand for skilled STEM workers, it’s important to provide growing students with the STEM educational workshops and education they need to gain an early interest in STEM fields.

Increasing Women in STEM

Committed to telling girls that we need them in STEM, The Pearl Project Institute for Innovation in STEM Literacy is engaged in increasing the presence of women in STEM fields. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women make up 48% of the working population, but only 26 percent are STEM workers compared to 74 percent of men. Attracting and retaining more women in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce will maximize innovation, creativity, and competitiveness, according to the American Association of University Women. Many products that are part of our daily lives have been developed without input from women. There are many new emerging areas of technology that need women’s input like nanotechnology, Internet of Things (IoT), and cybersecurity. Our STEM programs are intended to help girls and young women develop interest in STEM fields so that they are more likely to pursue and excel in these fields later in life.

2017 National Chamber of Commerce Report

Employment in STEM occupations grew much faster than employment in non-STEM occupations over the last decade (24.4 percent versus 4.0 percent, respectively), and STEM occupations are projected to grow by 8.9 percent from 2014 to 2024, compared to 6.4 percent growth for non-STEM occupations.

STEM workers command higher wages, earning 29 percent more than their non-STEM counterparts in 2015. This pay premium has increased since our previous report, which found a STEM wage advantage of 26 percent in 2010.

Nearly three-quarters of STEM workers have at least a college degree, compared to just over one-third of non-STEM workers.

STEM degree holders enjoy higher earnings, regardless of whether they work in STEM or non-STEM occupations. A STEM degree holder can expect an earnings premium of 12 percent over non-S81% of male students and 19% of female students took computer science.

Male students are more likely than female students to take AP exams in advanced subjects, including calculus BC (59% versus 41%), physics B (65% versus 35%), and both physics C exams (about 75% versus 25%).

Benefits of STEM Programs for Youth

Many people outside of the educational, child psychology, and STEM fields believe that a child’s education should be unfocused until later in life so they can be exposed to a wider variety of subject matter and career possibilities. While a well-rounded education is important, of course, we believe it’s also important to feature STEM programs heavily in today’s curriculum. By providing a sturdy foundation in subject matters like computer science and programming, technology and engineering, mathematics, and science, children are more likely to become interested in these fields and even excel in them later in life. Some of the other benefits of STEM education for youth include:

Fosters Love of Learning, Curiosity, and Innovation

Skills Can Be Applied to Almost Any Career

Enhances Teamwork and Collaboration Skills

Builds Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills

Provides Structure and Can Help Decrease School Anxiety

More Career Options and Wages Later in Life

By working with our organization to help get students more interested in STEM programs, we can help our children succeed later in life and foster a lifelong love of learning, collaboration, and innovation.

Contact us to learn more about our STEM educational workshops. Our organization is based in Reston, Virginia.

Contact Us For Educational Workshops

(888) 980-0601

About Us

Pearl Project Institute – Who Are We?

THE PEARL PROJECT INSTITUTE FOR INNOVATION IN STEM LITERACY, is a non-profit organization designed to create a direct pipeline of STEM literate youth ready for the global workforce by “Fanning The Flames Of Invention And Innovation” between experts, novice professionals and America's youth. The Institute is located in Reston Virginia and we offer innovation workshops. Robin McDougal - Founder

Chimene Davis

Cindy McDowell

Allyson McDougal

Eugene McDougal (Retired)

National Institutes of Health

Audie Serrano Consultant

Strategic Partnership & Development

Lauren McDougal, Administrator

Montgomery County Public Schools

Ms. Robin McDougal, M.Ed., has been a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) advocate and seasoned educator for over 25 years. She uses a blend of educational expertise, business acumen and grassroots activism to guide parents, youth, emerging professionals and professionals re-entering the business market. As a certified advanced academic expert, product designer and curriculum developer, she acts as advisor for parents of gifted learners.

Ms. McDougal has conducted STEM, critical thinking and creative problem solving professional development in over a dozen school districts nationally and in school districts abroad.

Other Accomplishments Include:

» Collaborated with the national team of curriculum designers asked to create learning lessons for the Oh Freedom! Exhibit planned for the Smithsonian’s new National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC).» Conducted STEM training for National Geographic JASON Project» A member of Women In Technology (WIT), serving in the Washington Metropolitan region as the Steering Committee Chair of Girls In Technology and ViceChair of Women Business Owners. While serving, she will work with a team of executive women dedicated to encouraging middle and high school girls to consider STEM related careers in their future.

Pearl Project Institute – What we do?

Community Out Reach Projects

The Pearl Project is a community based Afterschool initiative that is actively serving DC metro area and selected inner cities school districts nationally. The Pearl Project introduces STEM to Middle & High school aged children from low socio economic background — Our Goal to reach 1 million children.

CYBER SECURITY PIPELINE

Program created to inspire high school girls to consider careers in cyber security or other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (stem) disciplines critical to our nation's future.

GIRLS WHO ANIMATE

This is a 6 week two hour session afterschool program that will empower girls in grades 6-12 from low socio-economic backgrounds nationally.

Pearl Project Institute – Future Plans

THE PEARL PROJECT ANIMATED SERIES

This is a multicultural animated television series in development targeting elementary and middle school children using multicultural animated characters and STEM related episodic content.

A MEDIA CAMPAIGN TARGETING GIRLS

This National awareness campaign will target girls 8 to 18 years old called “TELL A GIRL…” using traditional and non-traditional media encouraging young women to focus on STEM related careers and education.

THE PEARL PROJECT INSTITUTE OPENS

Our STEM Literacy Hub opens in the D.C. Metro Area June 2020.

THE AMERICAN GARAGE

This is a boot camp developed to incite Entrepreneurial STEM Leadership. Through case Studies and Simulation, students (H.S. & College) tackle Real-World Challenges using the Advance Thinking Method; What Color is Your Thinking? while solving problems with creative solutions.

Contact us in Reston, Virginia, to learn how you can support our educational workshops and help us promote academic excellence in a digital age.

What We Believe

6 Characteristics of STEM Literacy

Communicate Problem Solving Ideas:

The ability to communicate advanced ideas that solve community and national problems

Design Thinking:

The ability to design and implement solutions using innovative, creative and critical thinking techniques

Set and Achieve Goals:

Set lofty goals that integrate the needs of now and the future

Persistence Behavior:

Exhibit persistence in the face of ambiguity and uncertainty when engaged in a challenge

Precision & Accuracy:

Execute with precision and accuracy while engaged in goal-directed activity

Collaborative Leadership:

To collaborate as a global citizen and community leader

Contact Us

Thank you for your interest. For questions or comments, please use the information below. We look forward to hearing from you soon.